Virginia Lawmaker Injured in Attack

State Senator Creigh Deeds (D., Va.), greets supporters after voting in his hometown of Millboro, Va., on Nov. 3, 2009.

Police said they are investigating an attempted murder and suicide after Virginia state Sen. Creigh Deeds, a former candidate for governor, was stabbed in his home Tuesday morning.

Mr. Deeds was found with multiple stab wounds near his head and upper torso region, said Corinne Geller, a state police spokeswoman said. His son, Gus Deeds, died at the scene from a gunshot wound. Police are investigating whether the wound was self-inflicted and have not released information about the weapon.

Mr. Deeds was transported to the University of Virginia Hospital in Charlottesville, Va., where hospital officials updated his condition to fair Tuesday afternoon.

Mr. Deeds, a Democrat, has served as state senator since 2001 and represents Charlottesville and surrounding region. He ran unsuccessfully for attorney general and governor in Virginia in 2005 and 2009, respectively, losing both races to Republican Bob McDonnell.

According to police reports, Mr. Deeds and his 24-year-old son were alone in their home early Tuesday when the altercation occurred. After the stabbing, the senator left the house and was spotted by his cousin, who drove by on nearby Route 42. The two went to the cousin’s house, where a 911 call was placed.

Mr. Deeds has been able to speak with investigators and troopers, both this morning and at the hospital, Ms. Geller said.

Uncovering a motive and the exact sequence of events is “very much the focus of this investigation,” Ms. Geller said. Gus Deeds’ body has been transferred to a medical center in Roanoke for an autopsy and examination, she added.

Gus Deeds had been a student at William & Mary since 2007, but withdrew from the college last month, according to a statement from Ginger Ambler, vice president for student affairs. She called him a “music major with a strong academic record.”

Dennis Cropper, executive director of the Rockbridge County Community Services Board, told the Richmond Times-Dispatch that Gus Deeds was evaluated at Bath Community Hospital Monday, but was released because officials could not locate a psychiatric bed in the region to admit him. In an emailed statement released later, Mr. Cropper, citing the family’s privacy, declined to confirm those details. Bath Community Hospital separately declined to comment.

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